LINCOLN EXECUTION SCAFFOLD CIVIL WAR PHOTO PICTURE 1464

The2FunAdGuyz offer a new, high quality reproduction, print of an incredible, but shocking, photograph of the execution by hanging of four people convicted of conspiracy in the Abraham Lincoln assassination plot. In this 1865 photo, taken minutes before their execution, General John F. Hartranft stands in the center of the scaffold and reads the death warrants aloud to the seated prisoners. This is one of four photos taken by Alexander Gardner, considered Lincoln’s favorite photographer. The series of four photographs has been called among the most astounding photographs ever taken in the history of the United States. All four execution photographs are available in our store along with many others connected to President Abraham Lincoln and his assassination.

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PHOTO DETAILS: The condemned (all seated) are (from left to right) Mary Surratt (under an umbrella), Lewis Powell (partially obscured by a post), David Herold and George Atzerodt (his chair is turned sideways). The condemned prisoners are positioned near the two front portions of the scaffold that was supported by two posts that were be knocked away by two soldiers positioned below the scaffold. Most of the crowd of about 200 spectators and the military units are outside of the view of this print.

PHOTO CAPTION: The Execution of the Convicted Lincoln Assassination Conspirators on July 7, 1865 at Old Arsenal Prison, Washington D. C. Death Warrants are read to the condemned (l-r) Mary Surratt, Lewis Powell, David Herold (Obscured) & George Atzerodt. Photo by Alexander Gardner.

EVENT DETAILS: The execution of these four conspirators took place at the Old Arsenal Penitentiary (now Fort Leslie McNair) on July 7, 1865. The four conspirators had only been notified of their execution the day before and the scaffold had to be built in less than 24 hours. General John F. Hartranft was in charge of their confinement at Old Arsenal Prison during the seven week trial and now presided over their execution. Guards brought the condemned prisoners from confinement at a little after 1:00 p.m. and the entire event was completed in less than a half-hour. Mrs. Surratt was the first woman ever executed by the United States Government and had to be supported during the walk to the gallows.

HISTORICAL PERSPECTIVE: John Wilkes Booth had been killed during the manhunt (David Herold was with him and was taken into custody), so the wrath of an angry, bereaved nation turned to those accused of conspiring with Booth to kill other members of the United States Government or aiding and abetting his escape. Those arrested were tried in a military court in a seven week trial with over 300 witnesses. They deliberated a little over a week before returning verdicts and sentences. The trial and executions have remained controversial in the hundred and forty years since they occurred.

PHOTOGRAPHER: Alexander Gardner was born in Scotland where he worked as an editor and reporter before joining Matthew Brady's portrait studio in 1856. Gardner argued with Brady about the attribution of photographs and published his own book of Civil War photographs. After Gardner left Brady’s employ he opened his own studio in Washington, D.C. Many believed that Gardner was Lincoln’s favorite photographer and is generally credited with taking the last portrait of President Abraham Lincoln a few days before his assassination. Interestingly, Gardner was an avowed socialist and utopian. Gardner died in 1882.

ORIGINAL MEDIA: An original glass plate negative produced by the wet collodion process was used to create a digital image that has been used to produce this new print. The images are focused on the events unfolding on the scaffold and the image of the scaffold is very good. However, due to technological and process limitations plus the fast pace of the event, peripheral areas of some images is blurred. Nonetheless, Gardner achieved breathtaking images that are sure to survive through the ages.

PAPER QUALITY: This new print is on a highest quality, acid-free, 100-pound glossy premium text paper that allows for maximum color brilliance and fidelity for older images. For an expanded explanation of our Paper Quality, go to our FAQ by Clicking Here.

Image Size: 16.5 inches wide by 10.5 inches high. For an expanded explanation of Image Size, go to our FAQ by Clicking Here.

Paper Size: 17 inches wide by 11 inches high. This allows for a small border around the image for matting and framing. For an expanded explanation of Paper Size, go to our FAQ by Clicking Here.

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